Fans of the 3-4 DePauw Tigers football program are more than likely familiar with senior running back Nikko Sansone. Before transferring to the University in 2011, Sansone played for a year at the University of Missouri, a Division I program. This season, under new coach Bill Lynch, Sansone has rushed for 627 yards, averaging 82.3 rushing yards per game. Sansone is also second on the team in pass receptions, catching 14 for a total of 220 yards.
With three games left in the season, Sansone is on pace to rush for 874 yards for the season. That would place Sansone 9th in DePauw history for all-time single-season leaders in rushing yardage.
Two weeks ago, at Ohio Wesleyan University, Sansone almost guaranteed himself another spot in the record books. His 200 yard rushing performance against the Battling Bishops was just 11 yards short of Jeremiah Marks' single game rushing record, set in 2007.
TDP Sports: With three games left, you are already 19th in DePauw history for single-season rushing yards. What would a place in the record books mean for you?
NS: It'd be an honor to be a part of the history books. Working so hard, and training in the off-season, all the things I went through to transfer here, it finally feels like my hard work is paying off. It's a sense of accomplishment. I feel like the change to running back is the position I've always wanted to play. To be able to get a chance with the ball of my hands, I've finally had the opportunities to do what I expected to from day one.
TDP Sports: Defenses constantly demise plans to stop both senior wideout Barry Flynn and yourself. Knowing this, how do you prepare for the extra attention from opposing defensive coordinators?
NS: Its huge having Barry [Flynn], he's a stud receiver, and defenses know that. That opens up the run game for me, and I'm going to continue to do my role and stay mentally focused in practice, the weight room and the field. And from there it's all mental. Coach Lynch had me strive to be a better player.
TDP Sports: Even before this season's outburst, we were familiar with the Youtube reels of you jumping over would-be tacklers. You left a Division I program to join the DePauw Tigers. What motivated you to choose DePauw?
NS: They recruited me out of high school, and I knew about them. My cousin JJ Costello played here, and I always knew of the rich football tradition here. I never felt that until this year. Coach Lynch brings a new era that I'm excited to be a part of. This is what I expected from the time I came in.